“When I was a little kid, my father took me to see an uncle in the hospital in Mexico. My uncle had gotten into an argument with his dad, my grandfather. It was over money he gave to a woman. I think he wanted to … Continue reading‘What’s a beautiful memory for you was a nightmare for me’
“I grew up in a household where I never saw affection. Well, I saw it from one individual, the female, but not from the male. He was always too macho. “It was a physically abusive environment. Not toward me, but the female. When I saw … Continue reading‘I had a lot of confusion about how a man should treat a woman’
“I got my CNA [certified nursing assistant] license and started working at an all-boys CPS [Child Protective Services] facility. I went in there with a good mental state a year ago. I thought I could handle it and make a difference. But it didn’t work … Continue readingCaregiver redirects efforts to help elderly
“It’s kind of hard to say. What happened to me when I was a little kid, when I was 7 … I got molested by my neighbors. Ever since, it sparked a fear of men. “Growing up, when your parents are strict — not mean, … Continue readingTalking about sexual abuse a step in right direction
“I’ve gone through some stuff people shouldn’t have to go through. I was abused for six years by my uncle and my cousins. The hardest thing about it was that I didn’t understand why I was the one getting hurt. Like why did they choose … Continue readingShe supports others going through tough times
“I’ve done a lot of volunteer work: homeless shelters, soup kitchens, all sorts of stuff. I worked with elderly people for a couple years. I’ve been involved with activities to assist kids. Just anything where I can help people. “One day, I’d like to work … Continue readingFrom sexual abuse in childhood to helping others
“When I was in sixth grade, I helped a kid run away. He came to school, and you could see he was beaten from his hairline down to the top of his calves. It was horrible. I told him, ‘You’re not going home today.’ “He … Continue readingKids on her school bus get benefit of the doubt
“I grew up in a very dysfunctional family and experienced many different types of abuse through my childhood. I became a teenage bride and mom, only to have the abuse continue. “After a particularly bad incident I wound up in the hospital and was told … Continue readingFollowing abusive start, her life begins anew
“Something that we’re facing a lot is dating violence or unhealthy relationships. Some of the girls aren’t necessarily being physically abused, but there’s a lot of emotional abuse. Their boyfriends are talking ugly to them or being very controlling, like constantly checking their phone or … Continue readingSocial worker provides ‘safe space’ for teen girls